Joyce Banks

Joyce Ann Bell-Banks Obituary Joyce Ann Bell-Banks was born in Greensboro, Maryland January 5, 1945 to the late Elizabeth Bell and Chandler Wilkerson. She passed away on August 27, 2024 at Tidal Health Hospital in Seaford, Delaware. The family moved to Bridgetown, MD where Joyce enjoyed living in the community with her cousins and friends. After graduating from Lockerman High School, in Denton, MD, Joyce attended Bowie State University. Upon leaving Bowie, she began her career in the educational field. She touched on the lives of countless children and coworkers after she was hired as an Instructional Assistant at Ridgely Elementary School where she served for 26 years. The students would tell Marcel, Shenitia, and Frankie that their mom was their greatest teacher of all; therefore, she had to be the greatest Mom of all. She developed lasting friendships with her coworkers, especially Della Lynch, Barbara Holmes, and Verna Calloway. Joyce did not shy away from work. She held other jobs including working at Jarrell’s Tomato Factory in Goldsboro and The Grasonville Fishery in Ridgely (16 years). Joyce loved children so she would often baby-sit for friends and neighbors. She was an active member of Union United Methodist Church in Goldsboro, MD where she was baptized, served as an usher, and later took her children. Joyce also stayed busy with her family, friends, church, and community and was known as a loving and caring person by all who knew her. She treated her friends like family. She was willing to lend a helping hand to anyone in need. When her health began to change, she and Marcel moved from Bridgetown, MD to Preston, MD. When her mobility became challenging, Victoria Sherwood and Darlene Nichols became invaluable aides and friends for Joyce. She stayed connected to family and friends through home visits, phone calls and Face Time. Joyce was preceded in death by her husband, John M. Banks; her parents Elizabeth Bell and Chandler Wilkerson; and her siblings, Dallas Potts, Hubert Wilkerson, Donald Wilkerson, Carlyle Wilkerson, Romaine Wilkerson, and Lydia Corbin. Joyce leaves to cherish her memory: John Marcel Banks. (primary caregiver), Preston, Maryland), Franklin Darnell Banks (Joyce) of Ridgely, Maryland, and Shenitia Yvonne Banks of Washington, DC.; grandchildren, Larry Henry, Katrina Henry (Diego), LaShay Freeman (Melvin); great-grandchildren Tobias Freeman, Alexis Freeman, Alecia Nava, Scarlett Nava; cousins who she considered siblings Phyliss Sledge, Charles Bell, and Mary Mapp; sisters-in-law Bessie Dickerson and Louise Dickerson; and a host of cousins, nieces and nephews. We Had a Lovely Mother We Had a wonderful mother One who never really grow old Her smile was made of sunshine And her Heart was solid gold Her eyes were as bright as shining stars And in her cheeks fair roses you see We had a wonderful mother That’s the way it will always be.

Joyce Banks

January 5, 1945 - August 27, 2024